Jonathan Coe weans himself off the internet

Speaking to the Scotsman in an exclusive interview ahead of the release of his latest work, The Terrible Privacy Of Maxwell Sim, the author and prog-rock musician said he agrees with fellow writer Jonathan Franzen, who recently claimed that any author with an internet connection in their study is unlikely to produce any great works of fiction.

Despite being 'addicted' to internet message boards, Coe said he limits his access to the worldwide web as part of a disciplined approach to work.

'My days are completely solitary,' he explained.

'I work from nine until five and won't talk to anyone. Some people might find all that silence too much but I like it.'

He added that returning home to his family from his office on London's King's Road in the evening is the equivalent of being readmitted to society.

Jeremy Dyson, the writer of TV show The League of Gentlemen, is currently adapting What a Carve Up! for broadcaster Channel 4.